Beware of Astroturfing in Sex Work Activism
Astroturfing in the context of sex work involves the deceptive creation of artificial grassroots movements or campaigns to influence public opinion, policy-making and discourse surrounding the industry. This manipulation can manifest through various means, such as the establishment of fake advocacy groups purportedly representing sex workers' interests that advance hidden agendas, often with moral or political motivations. Additionally, astroturfers may fabricate social media personas by posing as sex workers or clients to sway online discussions, spread misinformation or attack legitimate voices within the sex work community. Paid commenting and reviewing on platforms relevant to the sex work industry further contribute to the distortion of public perception by artificially boosting or diminishing the reputations of individuals, services or platforms.
Astroturfing extends into political lobbying, where groups or individuals seeking to regulate human sexuality may masquerade as grassroots movements to sway lawmakers or policymakers. The consequences of astroturfing in sex work include undermining genuine advocacy efforts, perpetuating stigma and discrimination, and distorting the policymaking process. Identifying and combatting astroturfing is crucial for promoting transparency, protecting sex worker rights and fostering informed public discourse on this complex issue.
One of our key goals is to create a roadmap for the non-profit sex worker-oriented organizations in New England. Several important questions need to be answered: Who's funding them? Where do they get their money? Why is there an artificial limit to the scope of public debate?
I’ve seen firsthand the impact astroturfing has had on sex work and the decriminalization movement, from the infiltration of my support groups to the targeting of certain non-profit foundations on sex work policy. Something must change.
